You throw the ball. You catch the ball. You hit the ball…Of course, baseball fans know that this line from Bull Durham is far from true, part of the humor of the movie and a huge part of the fun of the game. This blog is a space to talk about baseball, being a baseball fan, all of those things that make the game fun and the Angels, because they make baseball fun for me.

Calling All Angels, or at Least the 2012 25-Man Roster!

I think it’s safe to assume that, much like Crash Davis, Mike Scioscia believes in opening his presents on Christmas Morning not Christmas Eve, because he sure doesn’t reveal so much as a peep about the final 25-man roster or the starting rotation until after the final out of the Angels final Spring Training game. As for Scioscia’s feelings on good scotch, the hanging curve ball, the self-indulgence of Susan Sontag novels and any of the rest of the famous movie speech? Well, the evidence is somewhat less conclusive. I’ll leave you all to speculate. Regardless, the Angels pitched, hit and fielded their way through their final 2012 Spring Training game this afternoon – finishing with a win, no less! – and Scioscia revealed the details fans have been craving for weeks and, in some case, then some shortly after.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2012 Angels…for now…Oh, come on? What kind of Opening Week Angels Roster/Rotation would this be without a question mark or two?:

Angels 2012 Starting Rotation (Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!):

Jered Weaver

Dan Haren

Ervin Santana

C.J. Wilson

?? Hey, remember what I said about those question marks! We don’t absolutely need a 5th starter until the 15th. Why announce these things early? See post introduction. ;) Most likely this will be either Garrett Richards or Jerome Williams. Personally, I liked the look of Williams better than Richards last season. But Williams is recovering from a strain and Richards is no longer a rookie, so who knows?

Relievers (and here we largely pause our yay-age in exchange for some resigned sighing. This could either go really well or…yeah):

Scott Downs (Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!)

LaTroy Hawkins (I have hopes that this coulld be a yay)

Kevin Jepsen (The jury will without its verdict until more evidence is presented)

Jason Isringhausen (Ummm…)

Hisanori Takahashi (Er…..)

Rich Thompson (Probably, mostly Yay!)

Jordan Walden (I have hopes that this could be a yay too)

Catchers (Yay! They hit above .212!):

Chris Iannetta

Bobby Wilson

…just messin’ with ya there. For the first time in a few seasons, Scioscia is starting out with only the traditional two catchers on the 25-man roster.

Infielders (Yay!! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!):

Alexi Amarista (Good for you kid! You had a heck of a Spring Training!)

Erick Aybar

Alberto Callaspo

Maicer Izturis

Howie Kendrick

Kendrys Morales (Hey, infielder is what the article I read said, but we all know it’s going to be a looooooong time before Kendrys does any fielding if, in fact, he does do any fielding this season. This is our DH and a damned fine one at that. Yaaaaaaay!!!)

Albert Pujols (You know, what’s his name. The new guy. I’ve heard he can hit and field a little. ;) )

Mark Trumbo

Outfielders (Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!):

Bobby Abreu (Allegedly. At least, outfielder is what the article I read said but, ugh. I saw him play left last night and, I love you Bobby, but oh. Hell. No.

6 Comments

Pretty potent line-up and rotation, as well as exciting! I’m sure we’ll see Trout back up, too, once he’s healthy. The 5th starter isn’t a big deal yet, no. The Tigers 5 guy is starting in Triple-A, and will be called up when needed. Opens up a spot for another position player. Happy Opening Day Kristen!!!!
–Mike

Thanks, Mike! Yeah, I think the look of the outfield will change by the All Star break, with Bobby out somehow and Trout back on the roster. Happy Opening Day! Regarding the Tigers rotation, Verlander is so borderline superman these days, maybe he’ll be the 1st and 5th man in the rotation…and his own catcher too, like Bugs Bunny. :)

I just find it hilarious that the two bullpen pitchers you are un sure of were the best pitchers in the Mets bullpen the past two years respectively (there is K-Rod, but he didn’t have a full season with the Mets either time. First because of his incident where he hit his father-in-law and then because of his trade to Milwaukee.)
-Mateohttp://mateofischer.mlblogs.com

I hadn’t thought of it that way Mateo…hmmm. I know Takahashi was good for the Mets but he was really spotty for us last season, better towards the end but still. And so far, Isringhausen looks spotty too, though it was only ST. I’m pretty easy to please though and will like them just fine if they perform. (Oh, and I wouldn’t want K-Rod back either. He was great for us but had way too many diva issues now, LOL.)

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